Plan Truck Rider - $79

The Truck Rider by Plan Toys received high marks in our household. My son loved the easy steering and under-seat storage compartment. I was a fan of the blue foam exterior, which meant no marks on the walls or baseboards from wild car chases and wipeouts. We're also admirers of Plan Toys's commitment to manufacturing safe toys. The frame and seat of the Truck Rider are constructed out of recovered plantation rubberwood and decked out in green and orange non-toxic, water-based paint. More suitable for indoor driving, the Truck Rider is fun for kids two to five, and its modern design won't be an eyesore in your living room.

Get it from Modern Nursery.

Cozy Coupe® II(TM) Car - $49.99

Many of the plastic ride-on toys we sampled either seemed laugh-off-the-playground lame or were accompanied by such an explosion of colors our eyes hurt just looking at them. One exception? Little Tike's second edition of the classic Cozy Coupe. Initially released in 1974, the updated Cozy Coupe II includes a new high seat back, rear storage, an ignition switch and a removable gas cap. But what hasn't changed is the simple design: classic yellow canopy and Flintstones-style horsepower. It's great for outdoor drivers aged eighteen months to five years. You can also add Little Tikes Electric Sounds Gas Pumper to make car ownership even more realistic: Now you both can cry over $4 gas this summer.

Get it from Little Tikes.

Max Push Car - $225

What do you get when an interior architect and a sculptor join forces to make kid's toys? The sturdy frame and clean lines of the Sibi ride-on toys. The Sibi Max Push Car, one of the first items produced by the company in 2000, is beautifully crafted out of a single piece of solid molded ash, much like its slightly cheaper counterpart, the Flix Push Car. Though both cost a pretty penny, the unadorned, modern silhouette and simple comfort of these ride-ons will blend seamlessly with any minimalist décor, while still providing a great ride for your little one. If you love the look, but can't quite stomach the price, check out the Svan Scooter for a similar feel. While technically only rated to carry 50 lbs., my "field-testing unit" revealed the Svan was able to hold significantly more (husband + twenty-one-month-old son = scooter still intact).

Get the Max Push Car from BabyGeared.

Get the Svan from Oliebollen.

Wheely Bug - $69.99 - 79.99

If Wheely Bug had cheeks, I would pinch them. I can't get over the how cute these are. And how much I want to treat them like little bumper cars. I would love to see Wheely Bug, Wheely Bee and Wheely Cow all crashing into each other. (NOTE: These are not technically meant to be used as bumper cars.) These ride-on toys by Prince Lionheart are available in small (1.5+ yrs) and large (3+ yrs) and are covered in spongy, easy-clean foam to provide the softest ride for your bumper or bumpette. The multidirectional castors allow kids the freedom to roam. The handlebar is perfect for hanging on, dragging along or pushing around.

Get it from Prince Lionheart.